AIBA move raises Indian boxers' hopes

PANAJI: If the International Boxing Association (AIBA) have their way then India could be in for a few more medals at the 2012 London Olympics.
In the latest development in AIBA���s endeavour to include women���s boxing as a medal sport at the London Olympics, they have come up with a new proposal to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) which includes the introduction of 40 female boxers across five weight categories - 47kg, 53kg, 60kg, 69kg and 75kg.
The welcome change came after the IOC suggested fewer weight categories among the women boxers in order to accommodate them in the medals count. To facilitate such a move the AIBA has reduced the weight categories of male boxers from 11 to 10 in an effort to convince IOC to include women���s boxing.
AIBA���s swift move has visibly got Indian officials and boxers excited, what with India having some world class boxers in the top three position, including four-time world champ MC Mary Kom.
Indian Boxing Federation���s (IBF) secretary general, Col Muralidharan Raja acknowledged the weight categories that have been decided but was quick to add, "These weight categories are only for the Olympics, where as the World Championships will have regular 11 weight categories."